Securing the future for Age UK in Suffolk.

Suffolk Age UK, has become a subsidiary of the national charity Age UK.

We remain a Suffolk based charity, with a local Board, focussing on providing support to older people in the County. We rely heavily on the support of the public and local businesses.

Every penny that is raised supports our work in Suffolk helping older people to live well in later life.

Under the new arrangement Suffolk Age UK will become part of the national charity Age UK but our identity and branding will not change. Services to older people such as Befriending and Dementia Support and a Home Help Service will continue as usual, and our retail offering which includes seven shops in the county will also stay open as usual.

The move comes as we have faced significant financial challenges in the last few years due to a loss in funding, and were therefore no longer able to continue operating without being backed by Age UK.

Helen Taylor, outgoing Chief Executive Officer at Age UK Suffolk said: “We have offered a valued service to older people for many decades in Suffolk but as many other charities are finding, cuts to funding are affecting our ability to continue providing the support that we want and need to deliver in the area. Being under the umberella of the national charity Age UK until we can be financially independent again, means that we can continue to fulfill our responsibilities locally and meet the needs of older people which are our key priority.”

Tom Wright, Group Chief Executive at Age UK said: “Suffolk Age UK delivers vital services far and wide across the county supporting older people in so many ways in day-to-day life. Although this is a unique situation to see Age UK Suffolk become a subsidiary of Age UK for an interim period, it’s an important step to ensure that older people’s needs continue to be met.”

Andrew Gardner (pictured above) now takes over the reins as CEO in Suffolk and will be leading the organisation forward into an exciting future.